Ten players to watch in fall camp for BYU football
Courtesy BYU Photo
BYU players prepare to run a play during the Big 12 game against Oklahoma State at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.With 22 official starters plus specialists and substitutes, football teams require contributions from a lot of different individuals.
For a team like BYU, which is trying to bounce back from a disappointing season, there is an even greater need to have athletes step up to the challenge.
Each player has their own story that includes successes and obstacles, but as the Cougars get ready to get fall camp underway there are a few who stand out as being particularly intriguing.
Here is a look at 10 Cougars to watch during the next few weeks, five on offense and five on defense, and why they are important:
Offense
1. Connor Pay, senior offensive lineman
Some BYU fans might be surprised to not see a quarterback atop the list but since it is always the most high-profile position, guys like Jake Retzlaff and Gerry Bohanon will get plenty of attention.
The reality is that if the offensive line struggles again, it won’t really matter who is taking the snaps because the offense won’t be consistent.
That’s why the most important offensive player for the Cougars in camp is the senior leader in the middle. Pay is a veteran who has been forth2ight in stating his unit didn’t do well enough in 2023.
So now he needs to make sure that doesn’t happen again, both with his play on the field and with his leadership at all times.
2. LJ Martin, sophomore running back
BYU offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick has emphasized that he wants more of a run game to set a physical tone for his offense. That means he needs running backs to hit the holes hard and consistently churn out first downs.
Miles Davis and Hinckley Ropati will play a role in making that happen, particularly if they can stay healthy, but there was a reason Martin led the Cougars in 2023 with 109 carries, 518 yards and four rushing touchdowns.
Camp is a chance for the sophomore to show that he has an even better grasp of the offense, is more comfortable in the blocking and passing game and is ready to shoulder an even bigger load this fall.
3. Keanu Hill, senior tight end
The best BYU teams historically have had talented, reliable tight ends who create mismatches and make big plays.
Hill appears to be positioned to be that guy in 2024 after he moved over from wide receiver. He’s shown he has good hands and should be competent running routes.
This next month will be a chance to see how ready he is for the physical aspects of the role, both in making plays in traffic near the line of scrimmage and taking on defenders at the point of attack.
4. Caleb Etienne, senior offensive lineman
While Pay might be the clear leader on the offensive line, BYU has to have tackles who can protect the quarterback effectively. Etienne needs to be one of those guys.
As a senior with a powerful build (6-foot-8, 320 pounds), he needs to use his experience and physical ability to establish how effective and violent the line is going to be.
Keep an eye on how well he does at getting to the second level and finishing blocks in the run game during the next few weeks, as well as his footwork when he drops into pass protection.
5. Darius Lassiter, senior wide receiver
With a room full of potential big-time playmakers, a number of Cougars could’ve made this list including Chase Roberts, Kody Epps, Keelon Marion and Parker Kingston. But Lassiter is the pick for a couple of specific reasons.
He is one of just two seniors and earned All-Big 12 honorable mention last season, showing he caught the attention of other teams in the league even though he finished third on the team with 29 receptions for 365 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games.
This is his last chance to showcase his ability and BYU needs him to make the most of it, to be a home-run threat as well as a reliable target who doesn’t make mistakes.
Defense
1. Ben Bywater, senior linebacker
Bywater suffered nerve damage in his shoulder against Kansas in Game 4 of the 2023 season and had off-season surgery. His efforts in fall camp will be closely monitored. BYU coach Kalani Sitake said at Big 12 Media Days he hopes Bywater will be ready for the season but “we’ll just have to wait and see.”
Bywater is the only returning starter at linebacker. Weber State transfer Jack Kelly is expected to fill one starting spot and there are youngsters, as well as UCLA transfer Choe Bryant-Strother, who will push for playing time. Bywater’s playmaking ability would be sorely missed if he’s not ready to go.
2. Micah Harper, junior safety
Harper has been very productive when healthy, but that’s been a problem: He’s suffered two ACL injuries at BYU, including one in 2023 fall camp that caused him to miss the entire season. In 14 starts over his career, he’s tallied 87 tackles and he’s a missile in run support.
The safety room is very crowded with juniors Ethan Slade, Crew Wakley, Tanner Wall and Talan Alfrey along with sophomore Raider Damuni boasting game reps. But Harper’s experience and instincts are needed for the defense to take a big step forward in 2024.
3. Luke Toomalatai, junior defensive tackle
The Cougars got pushed around at the line of scrimmage during Big 12 play last year and lots of work has gone into fixing that issue. The health of defensive tackle John Nelson will be key. BYU thought they had a big run stopper in 355-pound junior college transfer Danny Saili, but he entered the transfer portal after spring football and ended up at Arkansas.
Toomalatai, a 315-pound bruiser from Long Beach City College, earned first team junior college All-American honors last season and will get an opportunity to impress coaches early in fall camp.
4. Ephraim Asiata, freshman defensive end
BYU has plenty of veterans at the defensive end spot, including All-Big 12 selection Tyler Batty and Isaiah Bagnah. But fall camp could be time to take a look at someone like the ultra-talented Asiata, and edge rusher who is the son of former Utah and NFL fullback Matt Asiata.
Defensive coordinator Jay Hill said the younger Asiata is going to do great things “early in his career,” so he bears watching during fall camp.
5. Siale Esera, sophomore linebacker
In terms of upside, Esera might have more than anyone on the defensive roster. He earned some playing time as a true freshman and the athletic 6-foot-3 and 250 pounder could be a physical presence on the defense.
Fall camp should a time where Esera can separate himself from a good young group of linebackers and grab one of the staring roles.
